The City of Half Moon Bay prepares a “line item budget”. A line item budget’s basic purpose is to provide the City Council with financial detail by department. The budget allocates money to the functions and activities on a summarized line item basis. The focus is on policy and activities. Departments submit detailed line item budgets to the City Manager, they are organized and present to the Council and the public in semi‐summarized fashion. The emphasis of line item budgeting is on the level and cost of each City service, what service is proposed, and the effect of these activities on the general public welfare.

The City annually issues a Comprehensive Financial Report (CAFR) to report on its financial position and activity in compliance with California Government Code. The financial statements are audited by independent Certified Public Accountants.